Around 50% of people over 60 and 15% to 20% of pregnant women develop hiatal hernias. These occur when a part of the stomach organ pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. In many cases, symptoms are mild or nonexistent. However, a large protrusion can initiate intrusive bodily reactions, like difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, vomiting, or gastrointestinal bleeding, that could require hernia surgery to alleviate. If you have an existing hernia, use the following guide to learn how to prevent a flare-up before resorting to more invasive measures.

What Causes a Hernia to Flare Up?

1. Eating Too Much or Too Quickly

Eating hastily and on the run or consuming too much at one time can set off a hernia. Over-consumption causes the stomach to distend and push food back up the esophagus. Eat slowly and mindfully to prevent a hernia flare-up. 

Be conscious of your mental state and pace when you eat. If you are stressed and shoveling food in your mouth, your central nervous system is likely in a sympathetic state, meaning it's in “fight or flight mode,” which is not conducive to proper digestion. When you are calm and relaxed, you are in a parasympathetic state. This brings the CNS into balance, which is ideal for proper digestion and keeping hernia symptoms at bay. 

2. Laying Horizontal After Meals 

Eating too late in the day and heading straight to bed can irritate your hernia. Staying upright and even going for a short stroll after eating allows gravity to pull your food down into the digestive tract instead of up into the esophagus. Wait 10-15 minutes after a meal, and then go for a leisurely walk to increase blood circulation, aid digestion, and keep food moving downward. Avoid lying down for about 3 to 4 hours after eating. 

3. Consuming the Wrong Foods 

Avoiding the wrong foods can be simple if you know what causes gastroesophageal reflux, but this can be challenging to decipher. Before resorting to hernia surgery, try taking careful stock of how your body responds to the foods you eat. Keeping a food diary can help you identify any triggering ingredients. If you're unsure which products might be aggravating your hiatal hernia, try avoiding commonly problematic foods. These include citrus, chocolate, garlic, onions, coffee, tea, mint, dairy, oil, spicy ingredients, and tomato-based or fried foods.

If you are living in Willowbrook, IL, and suffering from gastrointestinal or weight loss issues, Sofiane El Djouzi, MD, FACS, is a bariatric surgeon you can trust. Dr. El Djouzi specializes in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, hernia surgery and repair, and other nonsurgical weight loss treatments. Start feeling like your best self again, and call (773) 365-1300 to schedule a free consultation. Visit the website to learn more about the practice and how they can help.